DVD Review: Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season

The original cast and crew of Scrubs return for another season. But it’s not just any season, ladies and germs: this is the final season of Scrubs as we know it (so we’re told). Needless to say, this one will definitely be a keeper since it features the departure of series lead Zach Braff as the daydreaming Dr. J.D. Dorian (although there’s no need to cry just yet — we’re also told he’ll return in subsequent seasons/series in guest roles).

A few more changes come to pass with this season. As you may recall, good ol’ Chief of Medicine Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins) was forced into early retirement towards the end of Season 7 (although you may not recall that from viewing the Season 7 DVD set, wherein the final episodes were shown out of order). And yet, that grumpy old man can still be seen, day after day, sitting in his favorite Sacred Heart Hospital coffee shop (Coffee Bucks). After all, he did win free muffins for life in the last season — so why wouldn‘t he be there? He’s even nice now. Yikes.

Of course, some people will never be nice. Take Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) for example. He still hates everyone. Especially J.D. But when a new Chief of Medicine — played by Courtney Cox — appears on the horizon, Sacred Heart’s most valued physician may have to shift his anger a bit. In other news: J.D.’s best friend Turk (Donald Faison) and his wife Carla (Judy Reyes) find out they’re having a second baby; J.D. and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) start dating again; Ted (Sam Lloyd) finally gets laid; the Janitor (Neil Flynn) gets married; and a new group of interns arrive to either save of bury the show (you decide).

Whoa, whoa — wait, what? The Janitor gets married? This is madness!

Aside from the aforementioned Courtney Cox, additional “celebrity” appearances in Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season include Brady Bunch kid Barry Williams (in a cameo that had me rolling on the floor), select crew from Sesame Street (seriously), and sports hosts Josh Elliott and Hannah Storm (the last two of whom I know nothing about whatsoever — I’m about as sports-motivated as J.D.).

On DVD, all 19 episodes (hey, it’s a helluva lot more than we got with Season 7) of Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season are presented on three discs. Although it took forever and a day for the series to make that jump to High-Definition broadcasts (a Blu-ray release of Season 8 is scheduled for November 24th), The Complete Eighth Season is displayed on DVD in the old fashioned 1.33:1 standard format. The video presentation itself is a joy to behold (particularly the colors and contrast from the Bahamas episodes), while most of the sound from the accompanying 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround audio track hits mainly from the front speakers.

Extras on this release include audio commentary on 16 episodes with writer/creator Bill Lawrence and select cast and crew. Oddly, there is no audio commentary for the 2-part finale. Additional special features include several featurettes, deleted scenes/alternate lines, the proverbial gag reel, and — an interesting inclusion — all 12 webisodes of the spin-off series Scrubs: Interns (totaling just about 42 minutes).

Some stores will carry an additional disc (housed in a cardboard sleeve) containing the “ABC Starter Kit.” The Kit is a promotional disc intended to get you up-to-date on other shows like Grey‘s Anatomy, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty. The bonus disc also features the Season 3 two-parter from Brothers & Sisters and the pilot for The Castle.

While those of you with Blu-ray players might find it more feasible to wait three additional months to purchase this one, Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season is a must-have for fans either way.

About Luigi Bastardo

Luigi Bastardo is the disgruntled alter-ego of a thirtysomething lad from Northern California who has watched so many weird movies since the tender age of 3 that a conventional life is out of the question. He currently lives in Chico, CA with four cats named Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Margaret. Seriously.